Azeri authorities call for fight against supporters of preacher Gulen in country

Baku, August 25, Interfax - The Azeri law enforcement agencies keep under their control the situation surrounding the possible activities of radical groups in the territory of the country, Behruz Hasanov, an official with the socio-political department of the presidential administration, said.

"It is difficult to imagine according to what scenario the events, including in Azerbaijan, would have developed if a coup had occurred in Turkey. For this reason, it is very important to seriously fight the spread of the idea of 'Gulenism' in our country and supporters of Fethullah Gulen [Turkish preacher accused by Ankara of organizing a coup attempt]," he said in the republic's Press Council on Thursday.

"The law enforcement agencies have inflicted a serious blow on the radical groups' actions," he said.

"The Azeri authorities will not let radical religious groups, regardless of whether they are Wahhabi, radical Shiite organizations or Gulenist-Nursists, engage in anti-state activities in Azerbaijan," the administration official said.

"The Constitution of Azerbaijan states that religion is separate from the state. Nevertheless, religion should serve national and state interests, not be a destructive force leading to the development of separatism," Hasanov said.

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